Week 5 - Television Packages

Television packages can be very confusing. I think it all depends on what you are wanting to watch and when.

The main players in this market are Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT. There are also a lot of deals out there so it can be confusing as to what is good and what is not.
The key here is to haggle, haggle, haggle! Effective haggling will be covered in the coming weeks, but for new customers you can make considerable savings to the standard rates.

Also to add into the mix, many providers now bundle up other services such as Broadband, telephone and mobile phone packages. Broadband and telephone is going to be covered in the next few weeks
https://www.cable.co.uk/guides/digital-tv/

This is a package that offers digital channels over the air through your existing TV aerial. Many televisions include the tuners in them and so you do not need any extra equipment to view.
Pros: Free and no subscription costs.
Cons: Limited channels, may need an extra box to get the channels,

https://www.cable.co.uk/guides/is-sky-tv-worth-it/
Sky is probably the biggest and meanest of all the options. They are a premium brand offering a choice of packages.
Pros: You can tailor your package to suit your needs, most channel options, has on demand services, some sky exclusive content
Cons: Can be expensive, may have channels that you do not need included in packages, you need a dish on the side of your house.

https://www.cable.co.uk/guides/is-virgin-media-tv-any-good/
Virgin is a big player offering packaged solutions depending on what you want to watch.
Pros: Has both BT and Sky Sports package options, has on demand services
Cons: Can be expensive, may have channels that you do not need included in packages,

New player in the market and has started to buy up various sporting events taking them from Sky.
Pros: Sports channels available for free if you take their broadband,
Cons: Can be expensive, may have channels that you do not need included in packages,
Online services

This is an online package which streams television for a monthly subscription
Pros: Free time available, netflix exclusive content available, can be viewed anywhere you login, view when you want
Cons: for viewing on your main tele you will need a smart box attached, subject to your internet speed/data allowances, limited content

This is an online package which streams television for a monthly subscription
Pros: Free time available, Amazon exclusive content available, can be viewed anywhere you login, view when you want
Cons: for viewing on your main tele you will need a smart box attached, subject to your internet speed/data allowances, limited content

Boxes and technology:
All of the packages are available with a box that allows you to record, rewind and get 'smart' with your viewing.

Sky offers their Sky Plus box, Virgin have Tivo, and the rest tend to use YouView. They all do roughly the same thing and can be included as part of the packages you get.
There are some other smart boxes that can be used such as Now TV (owned by Sky), Chromecast (Google), Apple TV, Roku Streaming Player, WD play to name a few.


I think that the main point is to research what you actually need, what you actually will watch and get a package that is right for your needs. Also ask friends and family for their thoughts.

There may be deals available from referring friends as well so always keep an eye out for the elusive deal!

Week 4 - Mobile Phones

There are a number of mobile phone checking websites out there, but in my opinion the best and most accurate one is Billmonitor.


How to use:
Billmonitor

When you analyse your bills the site logs into you online account.
The analysis will look at your last three months bills and average out what you have used.
The system will then tell you which tariff would be best for you!
You can build into this if you want a new phone or not.
It will also tell you if you can switch from your current tariff to another one without penalty - ie if you are out of your existing contract.

If you don't want to use the bill analysis then you can use the calculator then go for it!

Also when you are at the end of your contract – haggle haggle haggle!!! You can make significant savings from doing this.
Haggling techniques will follow in the coming weeks.

PAC code.
Porting Authorisation Code - This is a code which allows you to transfer your same number to your new provider. By requesting this code as soon as the transfer happens then your old contract stops and the new one starts! Easy!

Your existing provider has a legal obligation to provide this to you immediately if you ask for ir or within 2 hours on a text message. It is valid for 30 days, so gives you plenty of time to change your mind. If you are still in your contract then your provider may charge you for the remainder of your contract.

Remember to cancel your direct debit though!